Citrus aurantium extract is mainly derived from the dried young fruits of Citrus aurantium L. and its cultivated varieties or Citrus sinensis Osbeck, plants of the Rutaceae family.
1. Active Ingredients of Citrus Aurantium Extract
Volatile oil
Citrus aurantium contains abundant volatile oils, which have complex components, mainly including limonene, linalool, geraniol, etc. Limonene is a monoterpenoid compound with a citrus aroma and accounts for a high proportion of volatile oil in Citrus aurantium. Volatile oil has certain pharmacological activity. For example, limonene has the effect of relaxing gastrointestinal smooth muscle and can promote gastrointestinal motility.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are an important component of Citrus aurantium extract, mainly including hesperidin, neohesperidin, naringin, etc. Hesperidin is a dihydroflavonoid glycoside with vitamin P-like effects. It can reduce the permeability of capillaries and prevent microvascular rupture and bleeding. At the same time, flavonoids also have multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Alkaloids
Citrus aurantium contains alkaloids such as synephrine.
2. Efficacy of Citrus Aurantium Extract
Effects on the digestive system
Promote gastrointestinal motility: Citrus aurantium extract can stimulate gastrointestinal smooth muscle, enhance gastrointestinal motility, promote gastric emptying and propulsion of intestinal contents. This has a good effect on relieving symptoms such as indigestion and gastrointestinal bloating. For example, in patients with functional dyspepsia, Citrus aurantium extract can help improve appetite and reduce the feeling of abdominal distension.
Regulate intestinal flora: Studies have shown that Citrus aurantium extract may have a certain regulatory effect on intestinal flora. It can improve the intestinal microecological environment by affecting the growth balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the intestine. A good balance of intestinal flora helps maintain the normal function of the intestine, enhance the barrier function of the intestine, and prevent intestinal diseases.
Effects on the cardiovascular system
Pressor effect: The synephrine component can excite α-receptors, causing peripheral vasoconstriction, leading to increased blood pressure. In some cases of hypotension, such as early shock, this property can be used to raise blood pressure. However, caution is required when using it, because if the blood pressure itself is normal or high, it may cause the risk of high blood pressure.
Improving cardiac function: Citrus aurantium extract can enhance myocardial contractility and increase cardiac output. It may have a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect for conditions with weakened heart function such as heart failure. It excites the heart's β-receptors to make the myocardial contraction more powerful and improve the heart's pumping function.
Anti-inflammatory effect
The flavonoids and volatile oils in Citrus aurantium extract have anti-inflammatory activity. They can inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In inflammatory reactions, these inflammatory mediators can cause tissue redness, swelling, pain and dysfunction. Citrus aurantium extract can reduce inflammatory response by inhibiting inflammatory mediators, and has certain therapeutic potential for inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and enteritis.
Antioxidant effect
Flavonoids are good antioxidants. They can remove free radicals in the body, such as superoxide anion free radicals, hydroxyl free radicals, etc. Free radicals can damage components such as lipids, proteins and DNA of cells, causing a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc. Citrus aurantium extract can protect cells from free radicals through antioxidant effects, delay cell aging, and prevent the occurrence of chronic diseases.
Other effects
Diuretic effect: Citrus aurantium extract may have a certain diuretic effect. Its mechanism may be to affect the blood circulation of the kidneys, increase the filtration rate of the glomeruli, and thus promote the excretion of urine. The diuretic effect may be helpful in reducing edema and other conditions.
Analgesic effect: In some experimental studies, Citrus aurantium extract has shown a certain analgesic effect. Its analgesic mechanism may be related to the inhibition of pain signal transmission in nerve conduction, but the specific pathway of action needs further study.
3. Application Fields of Citrus Aurantium Extract
Citrus aurantium extract is widely used in the medical field and can be used to make drugs for treating indigestion, gastrointestinal motility deficiency, hypotension and other diseases. Citrus aurantium is also one of the commonly used medicinal materials in traditional Chinese medicine compound. At the same time, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it also has certain application prospects in the cosmetics industry and can be used to develop skin care products with anti-inflammatory and anti-wrinkle effects.
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